Mary Samuel entered The Royal Academy of Music as a pianist, and 5 years later, emerged as a viola player. What went wrong!

A place was offered in The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and 4 happy years of music making followed.  Then came an opportunity to join the BBC Northern Orchestra, which at that time was based in The BBC Studios in Deansgate, Manchester.  Here there were 4 wonderful years – but then London beckoned – and after a final concert at Huddersfield, followed by an overnight train journey with a cat in a basket, and a viola on the rack – duties began with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at their Maida Vale Studios.  After 3 years, the misery of ungrateful, unmusical contemporary noises that were asked for on most days became too much to bear, and luckily The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra sent an invitation to return.  Alas, within a year, the conductor died and the Leader had left.  At that time, The Welsh National Opera was forming its own orchestra and an invitation arrived, and was accepted.  Then followed an enjoyable 2 years or so – with a great deal of travel around Wales.

However London beckoned once more, and after a short period of freelance playing, and yet another house move, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra offered a seat which couldn’t be refused! – and 22 years of memorable music making, travel and comradeship followed … Golden Days!